High hedge guidance

High hedges

This page provides details on the legislation surrounding high hedges as well as setting out the process you must follow in Fife.

The high hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 has been introduced to as a means to provide a solution to the problem of high hedges, where neighbours have not been able to resolve the issue amicably. The legislation covers hedges which can interfere with the enjoyment of a domestic property. The Scottish Government has provided guidance to all Scottish councils which you may find useful to read before contacting Fife Council.

Contacting Fife Council

If you are having issues with a high hedge affecting your property, please use the checklist below before contacting us:

• Is your property a domestic property?
• Does the problem relate to 2 or more trees/shrubs over 2 metres in height which create a barrier to light?
• Have you been in contact with the person responsible for the hedge to resolve the problem?
• Are you able to provide evidence of contact with the hedge owner for example, a copy of letters, dates of telephone calls or discussions with details of conversation? We require a minimum of 2 pieces of evidence, within a 6 month period.

If you can answer yes to all of the above, then you can submit an application for Fife Council to consider.

Making an application

Application fee

There is a fee for this service and our current charges can be found online on our website at www.fife.gov.uk/planning on the planning costs and how to pay section. Details on how to pay can also be found here.

Fife Council Validation Standards

If you cannot provide all of the information required, we will not be able to validate your high hedge application.

• Application form: if you have answered no to any of the questions in part 3 of the application form, you do not have a valid application.
• Location plan: this must clearly show the location of the hedge, boundaries of gardens and location of buildings including the affected property.
• Evidence: a minimum of 2 formal approaches over 2 separate occasions to the hedge owner within a 6 month period. This should be detailed on part 4 of the application form.
• Title sheet and title plan: this is to identify everyone with an ownership interest in the hedge.
• Photographs of the hedge: this allows us to determine that the hedge is considered a hedge under the legislation.
• Application fee.

This is a general guide and additional processes, information or evidence may be required.

Application form

The relevant forms can be downloaded from the Scottish Government eplanning website and emailed to development.central@fife.gov.uk

It will take longer for us to process a paper application and we do not accept cash or cheques.

Our postal address is shown below:

Development Management
Planning Services
Fife House
North Street
Glenrothes
KY7 5LT

Assessing your application and timescales

Once we have validated your application, we will send a copy of the form to the owner of the hedge in question once we have removed any sensitive or personal information. The owner will be given the opportunity to provide further information at this stage. A case officer may also visit the site to assess the hedge. Once an assessment has been made both the applicant and owner of the hedge will be informed of the outcome. If the decision is to take no further action, the decision will be made by the case officer.

The High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 does not specify any timescales for determining a High Hedge application. Fife Council will process a High Hedge application in a timely manner and as soon as reasonably possible, however, please note that timescales can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. In some more complex cases it may take additional time to assess and process the application.